Shinnecock Nation Kids Embrace Native Heritage Every Day After School
Teaching kids about their heritage is like planting seeds for a vibrant garden — by diving into their roots, they’ll cultivate a strong sense of identity and belonging.
That’s the goal of nearly 250 Boys & Girls Clubs on Native Lands, including Boys & Girls Club of Shinnecock Nation in Long Island, New York. This Club serves over 100 kids and teens annually after school and some weekends, connecting Shinnecock Nation youth with the history and traditions that make them unique.
Heritage by Way of Zoom: Igniting Cultural Connection During the Pandemic
In the virtual learning days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Boys & Girls Club of Shinnecock Nation Club Director Dyashwa Sylvester needed a way to connect with the local youth population. When much of the world felt out of control, she recognized the opportunity to bring Shinnecock Nation youth something substantial, communal and ongoing — the experience of bonding over their shared history and culture.
Dyashwa created an online Club curriculum aimed at engaging Shinnecock Nation youth with their heritage. For nine months, guest speakers from throughout the community Zoomed in to discuss topics with youth, including Native teachings, Shinnecock Nation history, environmental sustainability and community involvement. In 2022, the Club officially opened its doors, providing in-person programming and amenities such as a meditation room.
“Our culture is embedded in all our activities, whether it’s playing sports or sitting in a talking circle,” says Dyashwa. “We constantly remind our youth how important it is to be engaged in their culture, because there was a time when our ancestors were not allowed to do so.”
Weaving in Traditions Every Day
Today, over 600 Tribal Nations are recognized in the United States, each with unique languages, customs and perspectives. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is honored to partner with over 150 of these Tribes to provide after-school and summer programs for Native youth.
Every Native Club is unique to the community it serves, and heritage is often reflected through branding, programs and more. The Shinnecock Nation Club logo features a sweetgrass braid and children holding hands around a wigwam, symbolizing a safe, healing space and the interconnectedness of all life.
“We celebrate our Native heritage every day!” says Dyashwa. “We offer regalia-making classes so our members who don’t already have regalia can dance at our powwows. We also offer history classes to teach youth what it means to be Shinnecock, and languages classes to pass on our Native languages for generations to come.”
In addition to cultural learning, Boys & Girls Club of Shinnecock Nation supports the holistic well-being of their members as they transition to adulthood, empowering physical and social-emotional skill-building, as well as practical knowledge like financial literacy.
Fostering resiliency while meeting the needs of Native families today is another cornerstone, according to Dyashwa. “Our Club gives youth a space to heal from the impacts of substance abuse, mental health and trauma by giving them a positive place to congregate. Most of our youth get off the bus at our Club and stay with us for most of the evening because their parents are at work. Our goal is to be there for our youth no matter what.”
At the Club, Shinnecock Nation youth can get a warm meal, homework help and resources to prepare for life after high school. Youth of all ages also participate in recreational activities derived from Tribal knowledge, from surfing lessons to foraging for Indigenous plants and herbs.
The Importance of Mentors for Native Youth
Boys & Girls Clubs believe that all kids can benefit from a mentor. For youth on Native Lands, mentors can play an especially critical role in teaching positive decision-making and encouraging contributions to their Tribal community. Boys & Girls Club of Shinnecock Nation recognizes this value and actively invests in staff who thrive as youth mentors.
“All our staff are Tribal citizens who grew up in the Shinnecock community, offering our young people mentors to look up to,” says Dyashwa. “If a staff member isn’t as familiar with our culture, they learn right alongside our kids through Club activities. This inspires intergenerational learning, which is extremely important in Native communities.”
In English, the name Shinnecock means “people of the stony shore” — a name that not only reflects their coastal home in New York, but a legacy of resilience shared by many Tribal Nations.
“Living a Native way of life is like living in two worlds: we have to function in a mainstream society while keeping up with our traditions and culture. Embracing both worlds can be challenging, but we find ways to persevere because we come from resilient people,” says Dyashwa.
Join the Club
Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides mentorship, meals and meaningful life experiences to millions of young people across the nation — including reaching 120,000+ youth on Native lands through nearly 250 Native Clubs. Learn more and join us on our mission of helping all young people reach their full potential:
